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SAC 3-18-26 Mtg. Minutes – Page 1 Meeting Minutes March 18, 2026 MISSION: “To assure the common good through services essential for a safe, sustainable, engaged and healthy community.” DATE: March 18, 2026 TIME: 3:30 p.m. LOCATION: City Hall, North Conf. Rm. CHAIR: Lily Strehlow RECORDER: Kristina Kuzma, Assistant Planner Members Present: Nicholas Baumann, Félix Cisneros, Mary Hedenstrom, Lindsey Hillesheim, Jennifer Peck, Jackson Schmidtke, Lily Strehlow, Andrew Werthmann Absent: Gail Halmstad, Janis Tyler Staff in attendance: Ned Noel, Kristina Kuzma Public in attendance: Yes AGENDA ITEM #1: Call to Order Chairperson Strehlow called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. The Committee welcomed new members Nicholas Baumann and Felix Cisneros. AGENDA ITEM #2: Roll Call Chairperson Strehlow called for the roll, and a quorum was met. AGENDA ITEM #3: Open Public Comment Period Jane Mohler, Chippewa Valley Biodiversity Partnership, commended the Committee for exploring the topic of data centers. She also explained the water quality impacts such developments can create. Kathy Campbell, JONAH Environmental Task Force and Seven Mile Neighborhood, thanked SAC Members for the time they spend on sustainability issues. She has seen a groundswell of public interest. AGENDA ITEM #4: Approval of February 18, 2026 Meeting Minutes Member Baumann moved to approve the February 18, 2026 meeting minutes, seconded by Member Hillesheim. The motion carried unanimously. AGENDA ITEM #5a: 2025 Sustainable Eau Claire Awards Chairperson Strehlow stated eleven nominations were received for the Sustainable Eau Claire Awards, and that the Committee will select three winners, including an outstanding individual, business, and organization. Chairperson Strehlow then opened the item up to public discussion. No public comment was heard. The Committee discussed the merits of each nomination form. Member Hillesheim suggested developing a scoring rubric for use in future years. Member Baumann then made a motion to award Paul Tolar the award for Outstanding Individual, seconded by Member Hillesheim. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Members Hedenstrom, Baumann, Schmitke, Hillesheim, Werthmann, Cisneros, Strehlow. Abstain: Member Peck. Member Baumann made a motion to award Chippewa Valley Biodiversity Partnership - Leave the Leaves Initiative the award for Outstanding Organization, seconded by Member Cisneros. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Members Peck, Baumann, Hillesheim, Werthmann, Cisneros. Nay: Member Schmidtke. Abstain: Members Hedenstrom, Strehlow. SAC 3-18-26 Mtg. Minutes – Page 2 Member Schmidtke made a motion to award Kersten Family Junk Removal the award for Outstanding Business, seconded by Member Baumann. The motion carried unanimously. Member Hillesheim suggested restructuring the awards program to focus on more specific topic areas such as net zero and water quality. Chairperson Strehlow noted that the Committee will be discussing ways to revamp the awards, perhaps by adding an annual theme. Member Peck stated the nomination form, even when provided digitally, requires updates and improvements. AGENDA ITEM #6a: Data Center Presentation Member Hillesheim gave a presentation to the Committee on the basics of data centers, including components and types of data centers, and associated water and energy use. Throughout the presentation, Committee Members engaged in a discussion and Question-and-Answer session with Member Hillesheim. Upon the conclusion of the presentation, Member Hillesheim noted that the data center item will continue with a presentation on policy levers. AGENDA ITEM #6b: Eau Claire Earth Fest – Table Activities & Staffing Chairperson Strehlow led Committee discussion regarding staffing the SAC table at Eau Claire Earth Fest. Members expressed their availability for the following shifts: Shift One: 9:45AM – 12PM (Hillesheim, Peck, Hedenstrom) Shift Two: 12PM – 2PM (Hillesheim, Peck, Hedenstrom) Shift Three: 2PM – 4PM (Hillesheim, Peck, Hedenstrom, Werthmann) Based on this discussion, a staffing schedule will be created and distributed to Members. AGENDA ITEM #7: Future Agenda Items & Announcements Committee Members noted the following future agenda items: • Election of Officers – Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and Secretary • Presentation on data center policy levers Staff person Kuzma announced the following: • Congratulations to Members Hillesheim and Tyler who have been reappointed to SAC for a three- year term. • The Amazing Eau Claire Clean Up is scheduled for Saturday, April 25th from 9AM – 12PM. Registration is open online. • The City’s Appreciation Party honoring the dedication and service of its Board, Committee, Commission, and Council Members, as well as staff supporting the BCCs will take place on Tuesday, April 21st at The Plus. It is scheduled for after the Council’s Organizational Meeting. • City Council approved the 2026 SAC Workplan on March 10th. AGENDA ITEM #11: Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 5:01 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Kristina Kuzma, Assistant Planner